The Storm

There is so much consolation in the thought that though we suffer in this life and face storms of many kinds, Jesus can sympathize with us because of the vast amount of suffering He experienced at the cross. Dr. Timothy Keller expounds on this thought in His free online sermon entitled "Jesus At His Father's Feast" about Jesus' discussion with the elders at the temple at age 12.

Keller says:

That’s why you should trust Him, because He absolutely loves and is totally committed to serving the people He confuses, His parents. But how much more is that a reflection of Him totally, totally dedicated to loving and serving us, who He often confuses.

When a storm comes up, don’t say, “Oh Lord Jesus, why are you letting me go through this storm? Don’t you care that I perish? Instead say, “Jesus, you bowed your head into a far worse storm than this, the storm of eternal justice, and you didn’t abandon me in that storm but you stayed in that storm for me. So, if you didn’t abandon me in that storm, you’re not going to abandon me in this storm. I don’t know why you are letting me go through it, but I know that you are committed to me, just like you were committed to your parents. You didn’t have to do it, it was voluntary, but you did it.”

-Dr. Timothy Keller in the sermon “Jesus at His Father’s Feast,” Dec. 25, 2005, Luke 2:41-52.

Blessed In Chad

Scenes from our Women's Retreat with 30 women (including us) attending:

While in N'Djamena - Visits with Friends, Bible Study, and Library Project:

Visiting My MK friends at their school - Wellspring Academy:

Yes, that is a Poinsettia plant grown into a tree behind these two sisters at school.

At the Guest House where we stayed in N'Djamena:

My (Elysia) trip to Chad was blessed indeed. All of us on our team were well the entire time until the last day. I think our defenses were down as our trip winded down. I have been sick upon returning, but since starting on Cipro am feeling a lot better.

The highlight of my trip was the wonderful Christian fellowship I experienced while there. We truly experienced the fellowship of the Spirit with other brothers and sisters in Christ. We saw God's grace and peace upon every aspect of our trip with all the projects we did. I was so grateful for all God did.

My family did very well while I was away with Daddy running the show and my sister helping out too. They were blessed by the meals provided by Christian friends in town while I was away.

Winter Fun

Amy celebrated her FOURTH birthday on the 9th! We had a blast playing a game of bowling. I think Lizzy won with flying colors. Congratulations, Sweetie! And a very Happy Birthday, Amy!


It has been such a warm winter this year, but the past few weeks have finally brought us some cold weather and a bit of snow. Surprisingly, because there has been so little snow we were able to skate on a local lake without shoveling off the snow! This is a bit strange for Minnesota. We normally have several feet of snow on the ground by now. We had SO much fun over at Pebble Lake last week. There were several ice houses out on the lake. One guy was drilling holes that day so Ethan chatted with him a bit. He was drilling 18-20 inches before hitting water. This explains why Minnesotans drive their trucks on the ice. There were about five trucks or cars out there that day. We had so much fun, and though the kids fell a bit, they got right back up and kept going. Fun!

Three Meals Burned!

Haha! This week I burned three different pots of something: rice, beans, and oatmeal. Every time, I was so busy with other things, the pot just kept cooking and the edges burned. I used to never burn meals!!!! At least I was able to catch the problem quickly enough to salvage most of the meal. Well, I think I have an excuse for this crazy behavior as I am doing double duty this week getting ready for my mission trip to Chad Jan. 29th. Getting ready for a mission trip for me means getting myself AND my family ready (even though they are staying behind in America). I am so excited to go and serve there, and my family has been very supportive. I never would have thought I would be going to do this, but God opened the door and my husband counseled me to answer the call and trust God for this step.

While I am gone, my husband and parents are helping with the kids, and some Christian friends are providing a few meals for the family. The last few weeks I have been preparing freezer meals to feed the family on the other days. Today a dear Christian friend offered to watch Amy for the day so that I might complete my preparations. It was such a productive day, and I am SO grateful. Now the homeschool plans are complete for the days I will be gone. Yesterday I prepared some Chore charts so that the kids will be a bit more independent with their chores. Ethan can use them as he wishes, but I thought it would be helpful, anyway.

The kids have been so sweet because they remember to pray for this trip and for Mommy as I go. Yesterday, Gretchen so sweetly prepared cards with verses for each of our six team members who will be serving on this mission trip. I was so grateful to God for His work of grace in Gretchen. She is showing love and care for us, rather than only thinking of herself. What a sweetie.

God provided for all the financial needs of this trip through the gifts of family and friends. Every need has been provided. I even had enough to purchase gifts for the ladies in Chad who will attend the retreat, gifts for the missionary kids, books for the library, and books for a French nursery school. A need has also arisen for help with the transportation costs for some women traveling to the retreat. We were able to also provide scholarships for this need with some of the money we raised for this trip. What an extra blessing this will be for women on a limited budget! God is so good and kind.

One final note before I leave on Sunday: God is good and faithful. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 He is gracious, too, even when I burn the food.

Pinewood Derby Baby!

Pack 304 set up at the Cleveland Gym tonight for their annual Pinewood Derby. All the Cub Scouts who completed a car competed against other cars from their age group. Peter John and his dad took it very seriously. Here is Ethan filing and sanding the nails so there are no bumps or nicks to cause drag. I was his assistant, holding down the drill:

We had so much fun watching the races. We brought along a few of the girls' friends, and enjoyed seeing all the unique cars.





Peter John's car won third in his age group. And for a special surprise, Peter won a trophy for "Cub Spirit" because of his attitude and enthusiasm for scouting. We are so proud of him!

The Incarnation

“ But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

The One to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from of old,

From everlasting.” Micah 5:2

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:15-16

Elysia's Going On A Mission Trip!

For the first time in my life, I am going to go on a "short-term" mission trip this winter. This is a new experience for me, since in the past I have always gone as a "long-term" worker. This will be a wonderful trip where each of the team members will be using their varying gifts to serve in Chad, Africa. My husband is very supportive of my going, even though it will mean having Mommy away from home for over a week. I better get busy making some freezer meals for the family before I head out on the airplane!

I would like to share with you a bit about what I will be doing, in case anyone is curious, and would like to be involved in helping me to go. For obvious privacy reasons, I will not go into detail on this blog about where we will be and the organizations we will be working with. If you are interested in becoming a part of the prayer team that prays during our trip, or if you are interested in making a donation towards the cost of this trip, please contact me directly by email or postal service.

I have been invited to serve women in ministry at a retreat by leading the music worship and during the trip to help develop a library at a Christian retreat center in Chad. This African sub-Saharan country is one of the poorest countries in the world. It has a very small number of Christian missionaries serving there in part because of its difficult environment for survival and the harsh spiritual climate. Those who do serve in this country have endured great hardships in order to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to more than 140 people groups amongst their 11.5 million people living in the country. The goal of the mission team members is to serve the women who have sacrificed so much for Jesus’ sake there in Chad, as well as to bless their children and families.

The women on our short-term team with be working together to serve those who are bringing the Gospel to Chad. Half of the team will be traveling from my area and half from other countries and areas. Part of the team will be serving the children during the retreat with a VBS Bible program, while the other half of the team will be ministering to the women at the retreat. I will be leading the music worship for the women who will attend the retreat.

During our trip, we will work to finish the library project for a retreat center that serves Christians in Chad through meetings, retreats, and family vacations. This center is the only facility in that area that hosts Chadians and foreigners alike from many different Christian denominations. These books will bless all the guests at the center as they find resources to refresh them spiritually. I am thrilled to serve the Lord in this way.

Please pray as we prepare for this service opportunity coming up this winter.